Government U-turns on legal aid for domestic abuse victims

Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) has welcomed the Government’s decision not to go ahead with cuts to legal aid provision for domestic abuse victims.

The Government had planned to narrow the definition of evidence that could be provided in cases of domestic abuse.

Under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, it would no longer be sufficient to show that a woman had accessed a charitable service such as a women’s refuge or that police had attended a domestic violence incident. Medical records would also have been deemed insufficient evidence of domestic abuse.

The Bill unamended was strongly opposed by leaders from across the faiths, who petitioned the Secretary of State for Justice Ken Clarke not to go ahead with the changes.

In a significant climb down this week, Clarke expanded the list of evidence that domestic abuse victims could provide to prove eligibility for legal aid.

This means that statements from GPs, women’s refuges and the police will continue to count as evidence for legal aid provision.

The Secretary of State also increased the proposed time limit on the validity of evidence to 24 months.

Helen O’Brien, Chief Executive of CSAN (Caritas Social Action Network) said: “Legal aid is nothing short of essential for allowing many victims of domestic abuse to escape the cycle of fear and mistreatment.

“We are pleased that the government has recognised the importance of legal aid provision and has continued to make it accessible to those who are in very vulnerable situations.”